Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HAILEY 1 5 30 versus QUARTETTE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: HAILEY 1 5 30 versus QUARTETTE.
HAILEY 1.5/30 vs QUARTETTE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel. Ethinyl estradiol suppresses gonadotropin release via negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; desogestrel, a progestin, inhibits ovulation and alters cervical mucus and endometrial receptivity.
Combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, levomefolate calcium, and metformin. Drospirenone is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen. Levomefolate calcium is a folate supplement. Metformin is a biguanide that decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
One tablet (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg, levonorgestrel 0.15 mg) orally once daily at the same time each day for 21 days, followed by 7 placebo tablets. For continuous cycling, may take active tablets daily without placebo.
3 mg orally once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life of ethinyl estradiol is 13-27 hours (mean 17 hours); for norgestimate, active metabolite norelgestromin has half-life 12-30 hours (mean 19 hours). Steady state reached after 7-14 days.
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-14 hours; clinically this supports once-daily dosing with steady state achieved within 2-3 days.
Approximately 40% renal (as metabolites), 32% fecal (as metabolites), and <1% unchanged in urine.
Renal excretion accounts for 55% (primarily as unchanged drug), biliary/fecal excretion 35%, and the remainder undergoes metabolic clearance.
Category C
Category C
Oral Contraceptive
Oral Contraceptive